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Aug. 3—Let's set the scene: It's Thursday, Aug. 11. The Colorado sun is low in the sky, and you've just picked up a warm funnel cake from the Boulder County Fair carnival food stand. You're excited to catch a glimpse at the newest member of the Boulder County Fair royalty — you hear she's a real catch. As you and your buddies quicken your gait and reach the corral, you can't help but notice that she has...gleaming hooves. An impeccably smooth hide. A robust and sturdy build.
Yes, the latest addition to the Boulder County Fair monarchy is a bovine.
But not just any cow — the winner of the Royal Critter Contest, an event new to the fair this year — she's a Brown Swiss cow named Jewel. And a Jewel she is. According to the judging criteria of the Royal Critter Contest, Jewel won judges over on Monday with her bubbly personality, love of the spotlight and connection with her owner, 10-year-old Brielle Upchurch.
The Royal Critter Contest was introduced by Boulder County Fair president Melanie Bohren, who said that the event was inspired by similar competitions that took place at county fairs in her childhood.
"When I was growing up in 4-H, we had a Royal Critter Contest, and we did it every year," Bohren said. "I have these fond memories of the critter contest, when you're a kid, to have your animal be recognized."
The contest on the fair's website reads: Do you have a pig that's a ham, a goat that gobbles up applause, a pony that loves the limelight, a dog that knows a few tricks — or any guinea pig, cat, cow, chicken, horse, sheep or duck with royal potential?
For this year's inaugural Boulder County Fair Royal Critter Contest, dozens of youth participating in 4-H or members of Future Famers of America from around the county submitted their animals as contestants for the grand prize. The fair board chose six finalists, including a pig, a guinea pig, a mini-Nubian goat, a Boer goat, a horse and, of course, a Brown Swiss cow.
A panel of local celebrity judges — made up of 97.3 KBCO former radio personality Ginger Havlat, Quarters Bar and Arcade owner Luke Kunselman and Sheena Rosenquist, of St. Vrain Realty — selected a winner based on animal charisma, eloquence of their owner, among other criteria. At the end of a grueling deliberation, Jewel and Upchurch came out on top.
"The judges were really impressed with Brielle's answers to competition questions," Bohren said. "She was just so well-spoken, and was clearly very fond of her cow. Not to mention, Jewel is adorable."
After the success of this year's competition, Bohren said that the Royal Critter Contest will no doubt become a yearly feature of the fair.
"I definitely think this will be an annual event," Bohren said. "It really helps bring a personal connection to the fair, from the 4-H youth to the public, especially because they get to go see the Royal Critter up close and personal.
"A lot of the youth in Boulder County today don't have a personal connection to agriculture, and I think when they see a cute animal with a younger owner who is around their own age, it will help them connect and bond with each other. That connection can help them learn about what it's like to be a kid and own a cow or a horse or a chicken — and in turn, help the owners share their knowledge of agriculture with other kids from Boulder County."
Dairy royalty
Gracing the fair this year is another member of Boulder County royalty — Longmont's queen of cheese, Kate Johnson. In the cheese world, Johnson is known for her artisan cheesemaking school in Longmont, The Art of Cheese, where turophiles from all over Colorado come to learn how to make everything from chèvre to Camembert.
Johnson was once a humble entrant in the cheesemaking competition at the Boulder County Fair back in 2012. Now she has graduated to the role of superintendent for a competition for more than 13 different classes of cheese, as part of the fair's Creative Living Projects. Johnson will oversee the judging and organization of the competitions.
However, despite moving up the chain of command, Johnson hasn't forgotten her origins.
"We had this ameteur cheesemaking contest at the fair for the first time back in 2012, and at that time I was just a little beginner cheesemaker," Johnson said. "I entered the competition and it was so much fun. I ended up winning the champion ribbon. But I always have to remind people when I tell this story, that even though I won big, I was also the only person that competed that year, so I kind of won by default."
The blue ribbon only inspired Johnson to pursue further accolades, and in 2014, she opened up shop in Longmont as a professional cheesemaker.
Things have changed a lot in the 10-plus years since Johnson was last a competitor in the Boulder County Fair Open Class Cheese Competition. Long gone are the days of a solo cheese entrant, instead, according to Johnson, more than seven individuals have signed up to compete this year, making this category one to keep an eye on.
"At the end of the day, it's not about winning or not — it's more about being part of something in your community that has really deep roots," Johnson said. "The county fair here in Boulder County has been here longer than (Longmont) has. This fair is over 150 years old, and for all the changes going on in the world, there's something really nostalgic and sacred about entering a little cooking contest in the county fair.
"I think for a lot of people, it's really a connection to your community, and a connection to the past. But also maybe a connection to something that you like to do that isn't about your job, or money, or winning a prize — it's just about the simplicity of it being something fun."
Other Open Creative Living competitions include garden (fruits and vegetables), honey, bake shop, heritage arts (fiber goods, rugs, knitting, crochet), quilts and art (painting, mixed media, sculpture). The competitions are held in the Exhibit Building at the Boulder County Fairgrounds.
Viva La Cabra
For Brenda Kwang, Boulder County 4-H youth development specialist for livestock, the Boulder County Fair is also about connection to community. Kwang, working with CSU Extension and Boulder Valley School District, helped to create Viva La Cabra — a program aimed to bridge animals and agriculture with Boulder County residents who usually wouldn't have access to that corner of the community.
"We really were looking at our demographics in our 4-H program, and we realized we weren't meeting the needs of all of our community," Kwang said. "When we started working with Boulder Valley School district, we had this captive audience of youths that were really interested in animals. And so, through that conversation, we decided to make it a family-centered program, so that parents and kids together could come learn about 4-H programs.
That's when Viva La Cabra was born. Viva la cabra translates to "long live the goat" in Spanish. According to Kwang, through a series of workshops, participating families got to embrace the rich history of the goat in local culture by hanging out with and befriending a number of dairy goats, market goats and even some fiber goats.
During these workshops, families learned about the history of the goats and how to show the goats at a competitive level — with a unique opportunity to, at the end of the workshops, show off their goat knowledge and skills at the Boulder County Fair. At 5 p.m. Aug. 6, fairgoers are invited to see the members of Viva La Cabra show off their four-legged friends and goat-handling skills at a Community Goat Showmanship class.
"At the end of the day, we really were hoping to get these families to join 4-H and become permanent members of the club," Kwang said. "It's perfect for people who really want to get involved with animals, but don't have a place to keep them or all of the equipment to take care of them.
"And it doesn't just have to be goats!" Kwang said, laughing.
Multicultural Day at the fair will take place on Aug. 11. The day will be filled with diverse cultures that make up Boulder County through live entertainment in the fair garden.
Boulder County Fair website reads that staff is committed to creating a diverse environment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
"Our inclusive culture inspires us to try new things, speak openly and be bold," the website reads. "It brings us together in ways that help us stand out. Our inclusive culture empowers all of us to connect, belong, and grow."
2023 Boulder County Fair Schedule of Events
Aug. 10 — Kid's Day
Noon-10 p.m.: Carnival open (Kid's corral and petting zoo, kid's day concert)
Aug. 11 — Multicultural Day
2-10 p.m.: Carnival open (Kid's corral and petting zoo, music and dancing)
7:30 p.m.: American bullfighters event
Aug. 12 — Entertainer's Day
2-10 p.m.: Carnival open (kid's corral and petting zoo, live music)
4 p.m.: Demolition derby
Aug. 13 — Junior Livestock Day
2-10 p.m.: Carnival open (kid's corral and petting zoo, live music)
Friday through Wednesday will feature various 4-H competitions.
For more information and a full schedule of fair events, exhibits, concerts and more, visit bouldercountyfair.org.
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Anna Sloan waves to friends and family while riding the...
Anna Sloan waves to friends and family while riding the swings at the Boulder County Fair midway in Longmont last year. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)
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LONGMONT, CO-August 11:This "baby doll" sheep ...
This "baby doll" sheep was popular in the petting zoo at the Boulder County Fair in Longmont on Aug. 11, 2022. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
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LONGMONT, CO-August 9:Julia Ruddick's pig enjoys ...
Julia Ruddick's pig enjoys getting water sprayed in its mouth during the 4-H and FFA Swine Showmanship at the Boulder County Fair in 2022. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
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LONGMONT, CO-August 5:Rhyse Campion laughs while ...
Rhyse Campion laughs while feeding her angora goat during the Boulder County Fair on Aug. 5, 2022. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
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LONGMONT, CO-August 5:Elsie Thomas,13, kisses her ...
Elsie Thomas, 13, kisses her horse before the English riding competition during the Boulder County Fair on Aug. 5, 2022. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
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